A Growing Country, Growing Problems

Please Hand in your Constitution Center Packets in

pile on front table

After Independence

Articles of Confederation approved in 1781

Why would the new country create such a weak government?

Growth Proclamation of 1763 gone Westward Settlement begins

Central Government to sell land for revenue.

Jefferson’s Idea Divide into self governing districts Certain population = petition for

statehood

Ordinance of 1785 Procedure for dividing and selling land Township 6mi x 6mi / 36 sections of 640 Acres Sold at 1 acre per 1 dollar

Northwest Ordinance 1787 Single District N of Ohio and E of

Mississippi 60,000 could become a state No Slavery Law protecting rights

– Trial By Jury– Freedom of religion

Land Sales Good, Other Problems Bad!

Foreign Problems Money Problems Economic Problems Trade Problems

Foreign Problems England Failure to meet

terms of Treaty of Paris 1783

Spain Closed Mississippi

Money Problems Debt Why under the Articles of

Confederation could the National Government run into money problems?

Economic Depression Inflation Slow economic activity Unemployment up

Economic Depression Crops in the South damaged Most governmental money went to

debt payments Shortage of Currency

Unfair Trade Britain closed West Indies to colonial

trade

Tough Times for Farmers Many states taxed farmers Farmers unable to pay Lost farms and went to jail

1786 - Shay’s Rebellion Capt Daniel Shays Western

Massachusetts Jefferson on the

revolt “A little rebellion

now and then is a good thing.”

Weaknesses of the Articles

Ineffective national government States too powerful

– Clashes between the states Economic Depression

Call for Change Led By:

– Alexander Hamilton – Lawyer– James Madison – Planter

Revise the Government!

The Annapolis Convention

Lack of ability to regulate commerce

Its Time to Meet! Constitutional Convention – May 1787 Originally to meet on trade issues

T-Chart Activity